Martinez, Anthony P.

We report 21 cases of a distinctive and unique vascular tumor which we propose to be a pure lymphatic-type angiosarcoma characterized by architectural and growth characteristics of angiosarcoma, cytologic, and immunohistochemical features of lymphatic differentiation, a prominent lymphocytic infiltrate, and variable nuclear grade. Patients included 12 males and 9 females with a median age of 65 years (range: 32 to 95 y). Tumors involved the head and neck (n=11), lower extremities (n=5), trunk (n=4), and upper extremity (n=1) and were located superficially in the dermis and/or subcutis. Tumors were designated “low grade” (n=10) when the nuclear grade was low, and vascular channel formation was evident throughout but with multilayering of endothelium within the vessels. Cases were designated “high grade” (n=11) when nuclei appeared higher grade with more rounded contours and prominent nucleoli and when solid areas predominated over vascular channel formation. A striking feature of both groups was the presence of a dense, lymphocytic infiltrate with occasional germinal center formation. All cases strongly and diffusely expressed at least 1 lymphatic marker (21/21) with podoplanin (17/19) and Prox-1 (11/11) more commonly expressed than LYVE-1 (5/10). No consistent molecular alteration was identified. Follow-up on 17 patients (median: 41 mo, mean: 54 mo) showed 10 patients were alive without disease, 5 were alive with disease, 1 died of other cause, and 1 died of disease. Local recurrence developed in 9 cases and metastasis in 2 cases, although neither correlated with grade as defined. On the basis of clinical follow-up to date, the natural history of lymphatic-type angiosarcoma appears to be more favorable than other forms of cutaneous angiosarcoma.

Aims Options for the treatment of intra-articular ligament injuries are limited, and insufficient ligament reconstruction can cause painful joint instability, loss of function, and progressive development of degenerative arthritis. This study aimed to assess the capability of a biologically enhanced matrix material for ligament reconstruction to withstand tensile forces within the joint and enhance ligament regeneration needed to regain joint function. Materials and Methods A total of 18 New Zealand rabbits underwent bilateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction by autograft, FiberTape, or FiberTape-augmented autograft. Primary outcomes were biomechanical assessment (n = 17), microCT (µCT) assessment (n = 12), histological evaluation (n = 12), and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis (n = 6). Results At eight weeks, FiberTape alone or FiberTape-augmented autograft demonstrated increased biomechanical stability compared with autograft regarding ultimate load to failure (p = 0.035), elongation (p = 0.006), and energy absorption (p = 0.022). FiberTape-grafted samples also demonstrated increased bone mineral density in the bone tunnel (p = 0.039). Histological evaluation showed integration of all grafts in the bone tunnels by new bone formation, and limited signs of inflammation overall. A lack of prolonged inflammation in all samples was confirmed by quantification of inflammation biomarkers. However, no regeneration of ligament-like tissue was observed along the suture tape materials. Except for one autograft failure, no adverse events were detected. Conclusion Our results indicate that FiberTape increases the biomechanical performance of intra-articular ligament reconstructions in a verified rabbit model at eight weeks. Within this period, FiberTape did not adversely affect bone tunnel healing or invoke a prolonged elevation in inflammation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:1238–1247.

BackgroundEpithelioid benign fibrous histiocytoma has been considered a variant of fibrous histiocytoma, but is now considered a distinct entity, typically showing ALK expression. Most show typical morphological features, including an epidermal collarette and large, bland, epithelioid cells. We have recently encountered 2 examples showing an unusual pattern of pericellular calcification, a previously unreported finding.MethodsAvailable slides were reviewed and clinical follow‐up was obtained.ResultsThese lesions occurred on the chins of a 16‐year‐old and 19‐year‐old female and showed prominent pericellular calcification in addition to otherwise‐typical features of epithelioid fibrous histiocytoma. By immunohistochemistry, both lesions were intensely positive for ALK protein. Clinical follow‐up (available for 1 case) showed the patient to be disease‐free 5 months after excision.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, epithelioid fibrous histiocytomas showing “chondroblastoma‐like” calcification have not been previously reported. The chief significance of this finding seems to be in its potential for confusion with other calcifying tumors of the skin and subcutis. Awareness that epithelioid fibrous histiocytomas may show this unusual morphological finding, careful morphological evaluation and ancillary immunohistochemical studies, including ALK protein, should allow for their confident diagnosis in essentially all instances.